The opportunity of marriage

No, I am not talking about who has the opportunity to marry and who does not, rather the opportunity that marriage brings to both partners.

Gordon B Hinckley has said, “I find selfishness to be the root cause of most of [the problems that lead to broken homes]. I am satisfied that a happy marriage is not so much a matter of romance as it is an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one’s companion.”

Marriage is the opportunity to become less selfish and self-centered, and 

become more like Christ and our Father in Heaven. Going back to my early blog found here, marriage is not all about ME, but I do play a huge role in my companionship moving towards godhood.

It is very natural, and very human, to view the world from our individual perspectives; how our needs, wants, and preferences will be met or obtained. We easily become overwhelmed with our partners shortcomings, grumble when we are asked to do something, bothered by characteristics or preferences of the other, and a million other little things that surround the day to day life of a couple.

Yet to become more Christ-like and progress towards godhood, we need to put aside our individual view point, and our pride, to take the opportunity to see our partner in a God-like manner. Brigham Young once said that if we could see our partners the way that God sees them, we would kneel and worship them. Yes, he was talking about that same imperfect partner that tends to drive us crazy sometimes, which is quite humbling to think of. Sometimes when I am really angry with my husband I have trouble viewing him as God does, but this is just another opportunity to show the same mercy and forgiveness that I have come to expect for my shortcomings.